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School Named After San Francisco Guitarist Carlos Santana

Born in Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico to a father who was a mariachi violinist, Mexican-American Carlos Santana, is one of the most talented guitarists in musical history. Starting his career playing with Bill Graham in San Francisco during the hippie era, Santana got to play his Latin-infused rock and blues guitar at the original Woodstock festival in 1969.
Since then, Santana has released seven studio albums, three live albums, and made forty-nine guest appearances on other albums, winning ten Grammy awards for his efforts.

(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES (CBS / AP) — Guitarist Carlos Santana, who grew up in San Francisco, has earned a long list of accolades in his four-decades-long career, but now he can add a new one — a school named in his honor.

The Los Angeles Unified school board on Tuesday approved the name “Carlos Santana Arts Academy” for what has been called Valley Region Elementary School No. 12 in the San Fernando Valley.

The board said the Mexican-born guitarist is a compelling role model for students both for his longstanding musical achievements and for philanthropy with his Milagro Foundation, which works to provide education and health care for children.

In a letter, Santana thanked the district and said he was deeply honored.

Santana has won many awards, including 10 Grammys and three Latin Grammys.